Courts "inconsistent" on precaution principle

Courts in the EU have applied the precautionary principle in an "inconsistent and arbitrary manner" because it lacks a standard legally binding definition, according to free market think tank IPN. Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday law lecturer and co-author of a new book on the subject, Gary Marchant, said it was "unprecedented" to apply a principle in court and not define it. He said an examination of recent rulings on environmental risk, for example on hazardous waste, genetically modified organisms or chemicals, showed the courts' interpretation of the principle was confused. See IPN.

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